Derek Fujio (b. 1986)
Mid-Pacific Institute (2004) Honor Graduate International Baccalaureate Diploma Mid-Pacific School of the Arts Certificate Yale University (2008) Bachelor of Arts in Music Teacher Preparation Certificate Magna Cum Laude Phi Beta Kappa University of Hawaii at Manoa (2018) Master of Arts in Music Education Professional Affiliations National Association for Music Educators Hawaii Music Educators Association American String Teachers' Association Nomura-ryu Ongaku Kyokai Nomura-ryu Ongaku Koyokai - Chapter President
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Derek Fujio (b. 1986) is currently a music teacher and department chair at Kaimuki Middle School. In addition to his studies and work as a teacher, he is also in high demand locally as an oboist, Okinawan musician, and woodwind doubler.
Derek's performing arts training began at the age of 3 as a student of Kikue Kaneshiro, of the Kikue Kaneshiro Ryubu Kenkyukai (Okinawan Dance). At 5, he began private study of the sanshin under Norman Kaneshiro of the Nomura-ryu Ongaku Kyokai. During this period, he was an active performer on O'ahu, as well as performing gigs on Kaua'i, Moloka’i, and Lana'i. In 1998, he began koto studies with Jane Kaneshiro of the Jane Kaneshiro Sozan Kai (Ryukyu Sokyoku Koyokai Hawaii Shibu). He was a founding member of the Ukwanshin Kabudan and DND, two contemporary groups taking two very different approaches to Okinawan performing arts. As a koto freelancer, he has collaborated with such groups as Katareh (Okinawan Fusion) and Calabash (Hawaiian Contemporary). In the summer of 2007, Derek received his Kyoshi Menkyo, or junior master instructor certificate, from the Ryukyu Sokyoku Koyokai. In 2017, he received his Shihan Menkyo or senior master instructor certificate, in a ceremony coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the Hawaii chapter. Since that time, he has served as the chapter president for the Hawaii Shibu. At Yale University, Derek was an active participant in the college music scene, performing in various bands, orchestras, chamber groups, and pit orchestras. In his senior year, he served as President of the Yale University Bands. Over the course of four years, Derek studied oboe with Karisa Werdon, Aaron Hill, Steven Taylor, and Richard Killmer. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, he also received a Yale Teacher Preparation Certification and Connecticut Initial Educator's License, having student taught at Betsy Ross Academy Magnet School (grade 5-8) under Daniel Cross. After graduation, Derek was employed as a teaching assistant in the Kaimuki Middle School summer band program, as well as the staff instructor in oboe and saxophone at Mid-Pacific Institute. Starting in the summer of 2005, he has been an assistant clinician at the Hawaii Youth Symphony's Pacific Music Institute each summer since. He is also a substitute oboist/saxophonist for the Royal Hawaiian Band, the nation's only full-time municipal concert band. In 2008, he joined the faculty at Kaimuki Middle School as the Associate Director of Music, heading the orchestra program and assisting with the band and ukulele programs. Since then, he also founded the school's chorus and ukulele program, while helping to grow the program to an enrollment of over 66% of the entire student body. |